Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental 

disorder. It affects a person’s behavior and makes 

communication and social interactions difficult.

ASD can range from mild to severe. Some children may 

not be able to function without a lot of help from parents 

and other caregivers. Others may develop social and 

verbal skills and lead independent lives as adults.

Most people with ASD will always have some trouble 

communicating or interacting with others. But early 

diagnosis and treatment have helped more and more 

people who have ASD lead full lives and do things such 

as going to college and having a job.

ASD now includes conditions that used to be diagnosed 

separately. These include autism, Asperger’s syndrome, 

pervasive developmental disorder, and childhood 

disintegrative disorder. 

What increases the risk of ASD?

The exact cause of ASD is not known.

ASD tends to run in families, so experts think it may be 

something that you inherit. Scientists are trying to find 

out exactly which genes may be responsible for passing 

down ASD in families. ASD tends to occur more often in 

people who have certain genetic conditions. These may 

include fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis.

Some things increase the chance that you’ll have a baby 

with ASD. These things are called risk factors.

The risk of having a baby with ASD is higher if either birth 

parent:

• Is at an older age.

• Has another child who has ASD.

• Has a family history of learning challenges.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms usually are noticed by the time a child is 

2 years old. But if symptoms are severe, a parent may 

notice them as early as when a child is 12 months old.

In most cases, parents first notice that their toddler 

has not started talking yet and is not acting like other 

children the same age. Sometimes a child with ASD may 

start to talk at the same time as others the same age. But 

then they may stop gaining new skills or lose their social 

and language skills.

Symptoms of ASD include:

• A delay in learning to talk, or not talking at all. Or a 

child may not use or respond to gestures or pointing. 

A child may seem to be deaf, even though hearing 

tests are normal.

• Repeated and overused types of behavior, interests, 

and play. Examples include repeated body rocking, 

unusual attachments to objects, and getting very 

upset when routines change.

Behavior and symptoms can range from mild to severe. 

Parents often say that their child with ASD prefers to play 

alone and doesn’t make eye contact with other people.

People with ASD may also have other concerns, such 

as speech and language issues, sleep problems, 

and seizures. They may also have attention deficit 

hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, or anxiety.

How is ASD diagnosed?

There is no single test to diagnose ASD. Diagnosing 

ASD involves a combination of screening questions, 

assessments, and evaluation of the way a child behaves 

and interacts with others.

As a parent, you know your child best and are their best 

advocate. If you are concerned, share your observations 

with your doctor. Your input could help your child get the 

help they need.

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Screening questions are usually asked at the 18-month 

and 24-month well-child visits. But they may be asked 

sooner if you are concerned that your child may have 

signs of ASD. The questions cover how your child talks, 

moves, and interacts with others. The answers help your 

doctor understand how your child is developing.

If your doctor thinks your child may have ASD, they 

may refer you to a specialist, such as a developmental 

pediatrician, child psychiatrist or psychologist, or 

neuropsychologist.

A specialist will ask about your child’s health history and 

do a physical exam. A specialist will also:

• Ask about your child’s behavior and interaction with 

others.

• Observe how your child interacts with others and 

behaves during play or while doing specific tasks.

This can help you know if your child has ASD or if they 

have a different concern, such as a language delay or ASD 

and another condition. Testing also helps identify how 

severe the symptoms are and what your child’s strengths 

and weaknesses are. 

How is it treated?

The goals of treatment for ASD are to:

• Reduce ASD symptoms.

• Support learning and development at home and in 

school.

Treating ASD early gives you the tools and support to 

help your child lead the best life possible. Treatment may 

include:

• Behavioral training and management. This approach 

rewards appropriate behavior (positive reinforcement) 

to teach children social skills and to teach them how 

to communicate and how to help themselves as they 

grow older. And this approach teaches you how to 

work with your child at home and to help your child 

practice new skills.

• Specialized therapies, depending on your child’s 

needs. These may include speech and occupational 

therapy.

• Medicine. It might be used to treat symptoms of ASD, 

such as irritability and hyperactivity. Sometimes 

medicine is also used to treat other issues such 

as anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive 

behaviors.

How can your family cope with having a child 

who has ASD?

An important part of your child’s treatment plan is to 

make sure that other family members get training about 

ASD and how to help manage symptoms. Training can 

reduce family stress and help your child function better. 

Take advantage of every kind of help you can find. Talk to 

your doctor about what help is available where you live. 

Family, friends, public agencies, and ASD organizations 

are all possible resources.

Remember these tips:

• Educate yourself about ASD. Learning all you can 

about ASD can help you know how to help your child 

develop independence.

• Plan breaks. The daily demands of caring for a child 

with ASD can take their toll. Planned breaks will help 

you connect with others in your family or have time 

for yourself.

• Make time for an activity you enjoy, even if you can 

only do it for a few minutes each day.

• Get extra help when your child gets older. The teen 

years can be a very hard time for children with ASD. 

Community services and public programs can help.

• Get in touch with other families who have children 

with ASD. You can talk about your experiences and 

share advice with people who will understand.

• Plan for your child’s future. As your child gets older, 

think about where your adult child will live and what 

training and employment resources they may need. 

Also, take steps to ensure that your adult child will 

have proper care and resources throughout life. 

• Focus on your child’s strengths. Like any other child, 

your child has strengths and weaknesses. Help build 

those strengths by encouraging your child to explore 

interests at home and in school.

Adapted with permission from copyrighted materials from Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, 

Incorporated disclaims any warranty and all liability for your use of this information.

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